EASTERN CAPE- On Saturday 05 October 2019 from 13:00 to 22:00 operation Gijima Tsotsi continued with planned disruptions in East London and surrounding areas.
Seven drug outlets, 23 Spazza shops, 34 Liquor outlets visited, 13 ATMs visited, 05 shoping malls and 4 taxi ranks were visited and patrolled.
Noncompliance to alcohol trading license conditions, alcohol abuse and illegal trade in alcohol have a negative impact on crime fighting. When one or all of the above are committed, illegal activities and crime are likely to happen. This is one of the reasons members were closing an all illegal shebeen in Duncan Village as part of Operation Gijima Tsotsi.
Several outlets were visited and those without a license, alcohol was confiscated and fines were issued while more prosecution will follow.
Liquor was confiscated at C Section in Duncan Village, while more liquor was taken and confiscated in Meki street, Duncan Village. One suspect was arrested for selling liquor without licence at Duncan Village.
CD’s tavern situated at 5 Gillwell Rd, East London was closed until it complied with the Fire regulatory framework. A fine was issued to the value of R2000-00 for failing to appoint a manager in terms of Section 20 Act. 10/2003. An illegal tavern was closed down in Buffalo Flats area, as well as Nothembela shebeen in East Bank Buffalo Flats and Sir Parks tavern.
Members were then divided into 3 groups that were all led by a Brigadier with officers from East London Cluster to conduct human searches, vehicle check point and maintain high visibility at shopping malls and taxi ranks in the area.
Members also visited business premises, Second Hands Good Act shops, Body works and motor mechanic shops, ATMs and petrol filling stations as part of activities of this operation.
Tracing operations led Crime Intelligence to targets at Curry Court -Quigney,
St Paul’s road, (so-called California) and St Albany street (called Somalia Town) in search of wanted suspects especially those with outstanding warrants of arrest.174 counterfeit CDs were confiscated at Buffalo street.
One vehicle check point was effected at the East London CBD at Oxford and Buffalo street and 342 vehicles were stopped, 279 searched and 453 people searched.
One suspected stolen vehicle was recovered in Buffalo street namely a red Toyota Conquest. The vehicle was impounded and an enquiry opened for further investigation
Seven (7) suspects were arrested for possession of Drugs. Two suspects arrested for being drunk and disorderly and one suspect arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon, a knife.
The Provincial Commander, Visible Policing Brigadier Ntsabo, Station Commander of Humewood, Brig Bentley, Station Commander of Uitenhage, Brig Kupiso and all the station commanders who were involved in Gijima Tsotsi operations were thanked for their leadership and impacting positively in fighting crime in East London.
Extending words of encouragement, Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Andre Swart said, “It is refreshing to note that since the operation began on Friday, there has been no crime registered in East London other than few shoplifting cases. Positive feedback was also received from many members of the public who some of them called to express support, appreciation, encouragement while asking members to continue with this model of policing.”
Source: South African Police Service